Elevator maintenance/operation apparatus

ABSTRACT

In a maintenance driving control apparatus of an elevator, switches and other components operated at the time of maintenance are separated from a control panel and combined in a driving operation panel. A maintenance operation panel having this driving operation panel and at least one of a brake release device for remote operation, a meter for indicating a voltage of a speed generator, and car position confirmation unit utilizing movement of a rope or some other member is provided in the vicinity of an elevator hall. The maintenance driving control apparatus enables maintenance operations without directly operating the control panel or a hoisting machine.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an elevator maintenance drivingapparatus located separately from a control panel or a hoisting machineof an elevator for maintenance driving of the elevator.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, elevator maintenance driving operations can easily becarried out because a machine room is provided separately from ahoistway in which a car that passengers get on is provided, and becausea hoisting machine, a control panel and other main operating componentsto be operated during maintenance operations are installed in themachine room, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.Hei 10-59635, which is a publication of a Japanese Patent Application.Also, it is described that when maintenance driving operations arerequired for maintenance operations in the hoistway, maintenanceoperations can easily be carried out by only one operator in thehoistway without any operator in the machine room by providing a drivingcontrol panel on the car.

In recent elevators, the number of devices conventionally disposed inthe machine room, that are disposed in the hoistway and not in themachine room, has increased, because of need for efficient andeconomical utilization of building spaces. It is disclosed in JapanesePatent Application Laid-open No. Hei 8-40665, which is a publication ofa Japanese Patent Application, that a hoisting machine is placed in ahoistway, and a control panel is integrally mounted in a landing doorunit installed at an opening of the hoistway. When maintenance of thiselevator is performed, a portion of a landing door is opened, thecontrol panel therein is operated, and an operating component, e.g., thehoisting machine provided close to a window provided in the vicinity ofthe control panel to enable access to the inside of the hoistway isdirectly operated through the window.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 2-95692, which is apublication of a Japanese Patent Application, discloses, with respect toan elevator having a control panel also placed in a hoistway, anarrangement in which an inspection driving switch is provided in anelevator hall separately from the control panel to perform maintenancedriving operations in the hall. Also, Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-open No. Hei 10-87206, which is a publication of a Japanese PatentApplication, discloses an example of an elevator in which a maintenanceoperations changing switch is provided in an inner portion of a hallbutton accommodation unit mounted in a hall jamb.

Accordingly, in maintenance operations for recent elevators without themachine room, since main operating components are installed in thehoistway, an operator enters the hoistway and performs operations formaintenance of the main operating components while the car moves in thesame hoistway. In such a situation, it is necessary for the operator tobe specially careful about safety. In particular, in the case ofinspection or repair when the car is disabled from moving, it isdifficult even to access operating components to be checked. In somecases, main operating components are placed in the vicinity of thelanding door as described in the above-mentioned publication. In such acase, however, it is necessary that the operating components areconcentratedly disposed in such a place as to be accessible from thelanding door, thereby reducing the variance of placement of thecomponents. Although, it is also disclosed that some of maintenanceswitches are provided in the hall by being separated from thecorresponding main operating components to be operated for maintenancedriving, it is necessary for an operator to operate the car under theeyes of the movement of the car. Therefore, a restriction is imposed onthe selection of the place in which the operating switches are mounted.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to solve the above-describedproblems. The present invention enables maintenance driving operationswithout entering a hoistway such that a maintenance operation panel foroperating main operating components is provided in the vicinity of anelevator hall without specially limiting the location to a jamb at thehall, the maintenance operation panel including a device capable ofascertaining the movement of an elevator car, and a device for releasinga brake, the maintenance operation panel being operated in maintenanceoperations. A face plate of the maintenance operation panel is also usedas a face plate attached with hall call buttons. That is, themaintenance operation panel is covered with devices ordinarily requiredat the hall to be prevented from impairing the hall design.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state where a maintenanceoperation panel of a maintenance driving apparatus in accordance withthe present invention is attached to a hall;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the maintenance operation panel of themaintenance driving apparatus, showing a state where a face plate isopened;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a hoistway, showing components ofthe maintenance driving apparatus disposed in the elevator;

FIG. 4 is a component connection diagram showing connections betweencomponents of the maintenance driving apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a maintenance driving apparatus in Embodiment2, which is another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the maintenance driving apparatus shown in FIG.5;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the maintenance driving apparatus shown inFIG. 5, showing a state where a face plate is removed;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing details of a portion of a brake releasedevice of the maintenance driving apparatus shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a lock pin portion of the brakerelease device taken along the line IX—IX of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a brake unitattached to a hoisting machine;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a generator attached to a speed governor inEmbodiment 3, which is still another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing use of the hoisting machine motoras a generator in Embodiment 4, which is a further embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a hoistway in Embodiment 5, whichis still a further embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state where the inside of the hoistway isseen through an inspection hole of the maintenance operation panel.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state where a maintenanceoperation panel of a maintenance driving apparatus in accordance withthe present invention is installed in a hall. In the figure, amaintenance operation panel is installed in an elevator hall 1.Reference numeral 2 denotes a wall in which an opening for an elevatoris formed. The wall 2 is illustrated in a partially cutaway state.Reference numeral 3 denotes doors of the elevator hall 1. Referencenumeral 4 denotes an elevator indicator provided in the hall 1.Reference numeral 10 denotes the maintenance operation panel of theelevator maintenance driving apparatus of the present invention, whichis embedded in and attached to the wall 2. Reference numeral 11 denotesa face plate of the maintenance operation panel 10, which is shown in anopened state in FIG. 1. Hall buttons are provided in the face plate.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the maintenance operation panel 10 ofthe elevator maintenance driving apparatus in Embodiment 1 of thepresent invention, showing a state where the face plate 11 of themaintenance operation panel 10 is opened. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectionalview of a hoistway, showing operating components which are disposed inthe elevator, and which relate to the maintenance driving apparatus.FIG. 4 is a component connection diagram showing connections betweencomponents of the maintenance driving apparatus. The same referencecharacters in these figures designate the same components.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 12 denotes a hall button unit attached tothe face plate 11, the back surface of the hall button unit 12 beingshown. Reference numeral 13 denotes a call signal line provided fortransmission of a call signal from the hall button unit 12 to a controlpanel described below. Reference numeral 14 denotes a driving operationpanel detachably mounted in the maintenance operation panel 10. Thedriving operation panel 14 has interface devices required in maintenanceoperations, such as push-button switches 14 a, seesaw switches 14 b,indication lamps 14 c and a meter 14 d. Reference numeral 15 denotes asignal transmission line provided for exchange of signals between thedriving operation panel 14 and the control panel or components of themaintenance driving apparatus described below. The signal transmissionline 15 is connected through a connector 16. Reference numeral 17denotes a brake release device, and 18 denotes an operating arm of thebrake release device 17. Reference numeral 19 denotes an inspection holecapable of being opened and closed, which is provided in the drivingoperation panel 14.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 5 denotes the hoistway in which theelevator is raised and lowered, and 6 a, 6 b, and 6 c denote halls onfloors where no driving operation panel 14 is provided. Referencenumeral 7 denotes hall buttons 7 a, 7 b and 7 c each operated for entryof a call from the corresponding hall. Reference numeral 20 denotes acar provided in the hoistway 5, which passengers get on. Referencenumeral 21 denotes a main rope used to suspend the car 20 and to movethe car 20 up and down. Reference numeral 22 denotes sheaves 22 a, 22 b,22 c and 22 d around which the main rope 21 is wound. The sheaves 22 aand 22 b support the car, and the sheaves 22 c and 22 d are attached tothe hoistway. Reference numeral 23 denotes a hoisting machine thatdrives the main rope 21. The hoisting machine 23 has a motor 24, adriving sheave 25 around which the main rope 21 is wound, and whichapplies a driving force from the motor 24 to the main rope 21, a brakeunit 26 for stopping the rotation of the hoisting machine 23, areduction mechanism 27 for transmitting a torque from the motor 24 whilereducing the speed, and a generator 28 which is rotated at a reducedspeed by a torque from the motor, and which generates a voltagecorresponding to the rotation. Reference numeral 29 denotes the controlpanel which performs operation management of the elevator and controlsthe operation of driving the elevator.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a first signal transmission line composedof portions of the call signal transmission line 13 and the signaltransmission line 15 connecting the driving operation panel 14 and thecontrol panel 29. Reference numeral 31 denotes an operating wire used totransmit an operation of the brake release device 17 to the brake unit26, 32 denotes a speed signal line which is a portion of the signaltransmission line 15 for transmitting the voltage generated by thegenerator 28 to the meter 14 d, and 33 denotes a hall call signaltransmission line provided for signal exchange between the control panel29 and the hall button 7 provided on each floor. Reference numeral 34denotes a hoistway connection box provided in the hoistway, and 35denotes a second signal transmission line that connects the hoistwayconnection box 34 and the control panel 29.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 36 denotes a car connection box provided onthe car and also connected to the control panel 29 by the second signaltransmission line 35, as is the hoistway connection box 34. Referencenumeral 37 denotes a main circuit which connects the control panel 29and the motor 24, and 38 denotes a brake circuit which connects thecontrol panel 29 and the brake unit 26. The first signal transmissionline 30 and the second signal transmission line 35 are connected inparallel in the control panel 29.

In the above-described elevator, since the maintenance operation panel10 provided in the hall 1 has necessary functions for maintenanceoperations, an maintenance operator can perform maintenance operationswithout entering the hoistway. That is, the maintenance operator goes tothe hall 1 where the maintenance operation panel 10 is provided, opensthe face plate 11 of the maintenance operation panel 10 having the hallbutton unit 12 ordinarily operated by passengers, and takes out thedriving operation panel 14 for performing driving operations or makesthe driving operation panel 14 ready for use. Then the operator canoperate a “RUN/STOP” switch in the seesaw switches 14 b shown in FIG. 4or an “E. STOP” switch in the push-button switches 14 a to stop theoperation of the elevator. Also, the operator operates a “MANUAL” switchin the seesaw switches 14 b to change the operation mode to amaintenance operation mode. Thereafter, the operator can effect upwarddriving or downward driving of the car 20 at a low speed required inmaintenance driving while pressing an “UP” or “DN” button in thepush-button switches 14 a. When the power for the elevator is on, a lamp“POWER” in the indication lamps 14 c is lighted. When the brake unit 26of the hoisting machine 23 is operated to continue stopping therotation, a lamp “A” is lighted. These operations are the same as thoseperformed through the conventional control panel, and will not bedescribed in detail in this description. Devices which may be providedin the driving operation panel are not limited to those described above.Thus, it is possible to perform maintenance driving operations withoutentering the hoistway in which the control panel is provided. Whenmaintenance operations are not performed, the maintenance operationpanel 10 is concealed behind the face plate 11. Ordinary, only the faceplate 11 with the hall button unit 12 appears in the wall 2 of the hall1, thus achieving a favorable appearance design.

Elevator maintenance operations are not limited to those executablethrough the driving operation panel, and include operations for rescuingpassengers in the car when the car is disabled from operating.Conventionally, since the hoisting machine is provided in the machineroom formed separately from the hoistway, a maintenance operatordirectly releases the brake unit of the hoisting machine in the machineroom to enable the car to move upward/downward by the weight of the carto the nearest hall and rescues passengers from the car. In contrast, inthe case where the hoisting machine is provided in the hoistway, it isconsiderably dangerous for the operator to enter the hoistway to releasethe brake of the hoisting machine. Depending on the place where thehoisting machine is installed, for example, in a case where the hoistingmachine is placed in a top section of the hoistway, it is difficult evento access the brake unit when the car does not move. Accordingly, thebrake release device 17 is connected to the maintenance operation panel10 and is connected to the brake unit 26 by the operating wire 31, andthe operating arm 18 of the brake release device 17 is pulled totransmit the pulling force to the brake unit 26 through the operatingwire 31, thereby releasing the brake. Therefore, the maintenanceoperator can release the brake unit from the hall without entering thehoistway to move the car upward/downward, thus enabling rescue ofpassengers. At this time, the hoisting machine 23 is rotated and therotation is transmitted to the generator 28 through the predeterminedsuitable reduction mechanism 27. Thus, the generator 28 generates avoltage according to the number of its revolutions, that is, accordingto the speed of the car. If the generator 28 is a DC generator having apermanent magnet as a field magnet, it does not require an externalpower supply and is capable of easily changing the polarity of thegenerated voltage determined by the direction of rotation. Then, thevoltage generated by the generator 28 is transmitted to the meter 14 din the maintenance operation panel 10 through the speed signal line 32,and the generated voltage value, i.e., the voltage corresponding to themoving speed of the car is indicated by the meter 14 d. It is possibleto know the speed of the car moving upward or downward or the downwardor upward direction of movement of the car from the polarity of thevoltage. Consequently, it is possible to controllably perform the breakrelease operation. In this embodiment, the generator and the meter aredirectly connected, so that the speed of the car can be indicated evenwhen, for example, supply of power to the control panel is stopped. Thisfunction is effective in a rescue operation. Moreover, there is no needfor preparing a backup power supply.

The maintenance operation panel 10 of the present invention is providedwith the inspection hole 19. For example, when the operator releases thebrake to enable rescue as described above, the operator can open theinspection hole 19 and check the inside of the hoistway with the eye toascertain whether the car has arrived at the hall where rescue ispossible. Also, on a component of the elevator placed in such a positionso as to be visible through the inspection hole 19, for example, a ropemoved together with the car, a mark is put in advance at such a positionas to be visible through the inspection hole when the car is stopped ata position at which rescue can be performed. The operator stops the carwhen the mark is visible at a predetermined position through theinspection hole. Thus, this car position confirmation device makes itpossible to stop the car at a suitable position.

That is, the operator moves the car upward or downward by operating thebrake release device 19, adjusts the car speed by monitoring the meter14 d, observes the inside of the hoistway through the inspection hole19, and stops the car by terminating the operation of releasing thebrake when confirming with the eye that the car has reached the rescueposition.

The driving operation panel 14 of the maintenance operation panel 10 ofthe present invention can be disconnected from the signal transmissionline 15 at the connector 16. The operator may again connect the drivingoperation panel 14 to the hoistway connection box 34 provided at theother end of the second signal transmission line 35 connected parallelto the signal transmission line 15 in the control panel 29, or to thecar connection box 36 to perform maintenance driving operations in thehoistway or the car.

As described above, the maintenance driving apparatus having themaintenance operation panel 10 enables maintenance driving operationswithout entering the hoistway. Also, the maintenance operation panel 10is covered with the hall button unit ordinarily used, so that it doesnot impair the hall design.

Embodiment 2

This embodiment of the present invention will be described with respectto a maintenance operation panel differing in structure from that ofEmbodiment 1, and details of a bake release device. FIG. 5 is a frontview of a portion of a maintenance driving apparatus, and FIG. 6 is aside view of the portion shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a front view of theportion of the maintenance driving apparatus shown in FIG. 5 in a statewhere a face plate has been removed. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing detailsof a portion of the brake release device of the maintenance drivingapparatus shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a lockpin portion of the brake release device taken along the line A—A of FIG.8. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the brake deviceattached to the hoisting machine.

In these figures, the same components or portions as those in theabove-described embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals.Referring to FIG. 5, reference symbol 11 a denotes a face plate of themaintenance operation panel 10, which has the hall button unit 12 andthe indicator 4 shown in Embodiment 1. In FIG. 6, outlines of portionsof components incorporated in the maintenance operation panel 10 areindicated by dot-dash lines. A component 18 a is an operating armdetached from the brake release device 17. Referring to FIG. 7, theoperating arm 18 a detached is held on an inner surface of themaintenance operation panel 10.

FIG. 8 shows details of the brake release device 17. Reference numeral41 denotes an operating arm receiver which receives a torque from theoperating arm 18 a, 42 denotes an operating shaft on which the operatingarm receiver 41 is pivotally moved, 43 denotes an action pin positionedat a distance from the operating shaft 42 of the operating arm receiver41, 44 denotes a wire connected to the action pin 43, and 45 denotes atube through which the wire 44 is passed. A force is transmitted by arelative motion of the wire and the tube when the wire is moved in aninsertion or extraction direction. The wire 44 and the tube 45 form theoperating wire 31. Reference numeral 46 denotes a stopper pin providedto stop the rotation of the operating arm receiver 41, and 47 denotes anoperating pin 47 used to slide the stopper pin 46. Referring to FIG. 9,which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX—IX of FIG. 8,reference numeral 48 denotes a stopper spring which urges the stopperpin 46 to a position at which the stopper pin 46 can stop the movementof the operating arm receiver 41.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of releasing the brakeunit 26 attached to the hoisting machine 23. Reference numeral 51denotes a base of the brake unit 26, 52 denotes a magnetic coil attachedto the base 51, and 53 denotes a movable element which forms a magneticcircuit in association with the base 51 when the magnetic coil 52 isenergized, and which is thereby attracted to the base 51. Referencenumeral 54 denotes a detachment spring for detaching the movable element53 from the base 51 when the magnetic coil 52 is de-energized, 55denotes a brake plate attached to a rotating shaft (not shown) of thehoisting machine 23, and 56 denotes brake shoes for producing a brakingforce by pinching the brake plate 55. That is, when the magnetic coil 52is not energized, the detachment spring 54 urges the movable element 53to press the brake shoes 56 against the brake plate 55 to produce thebraking force. When the magnetic coil 52 is energized, the movableelement 53 is attracted to the base 51, so that the brake shoes 56 aredisengaged from the brake plate 55 to release the brake.

Further, reference numeral 57 denotes a first release arm which receivesthe motion of the tube 45 relative to the wire 44 in the insertion orextraction direction, 58 denotes a first pin for pivotally supportingthe first release arm 57 on the base 51, 59 denotes a linkage pin whichreceives the movement of the first release arm, 60 denotes a secondrelease arm which receives the movement through the linkage pin to urgethe movable element 53, and 61 denotes a second pin for pivotallysupporting the second release arm 60 on the base 51. When the firstrelease arm 57 is moved toward the base 51 by the relative motion of thewire 44 and the tube 45, it moves pivotally on the first pin 58 to pressthe linkage pin 59 in the direction of the base 51. The second releasearm 60 having the linkage pin attached thereto moves pivotally on thesecond pin 61 to move the movable element 53 in the same direction asthe direction in which the movable element 53 is moved when theexcitation coil 52 is energized. The brake shoes 56 are therebydisengaged from the brake plate 55, thus releasing the brake.

In this elevator maintenance driving apparatus, the face plate is formedby the hall button unit, the indicator, and the like, which can usuallybe seen by passengers in the hall, and the maintenance devices in themaintenance operation panel 10 are hidden behind the face plate. Whenmaintenance operations are performed, the face plate is opened as shownin FIG. 7 to enable the maintenance devices in the maintenance operationpanel 10 to be operated. In this embodiment, the operating arm 18 a ofthe brake release device 17 is separable and is kept in the samemaintenance operation panel 10.

To release the brake, the operating arm 18 a is brought into engagementwith the operating arm receiver 41, as shown in FIG. 8, and is movedpivotally on the operating shaft 42 to draw the wire 44 relative to thetube 45. Before this operation, the operating pin 47 is slid against theurging force of the stopper spring 48 to move the stopper pin 46,thereby enabling the pivotal motion of the operating arm receiver 41.These components form a lock mechanism for checking release of thebrake. The relative motion of the tube 45 and the wire 44 is transmittedto the brake unit 26 to move the first release arm 57 toward the base51, thereby releasing the brake.

As described above, the maintenance driving apparatus having themaintenance operation panel 10 of the present invention enablesmaintenance driving operations without entering the hoistway. Also, themaintenance operation panel 10 is covered by the hall button unit andthe indicator ordinarily operated, and does not impair the hall design.Since the brake release device is provided with the stopper pin, thebrake cannot be released by only attaching and operating the operatingarm. Thus, the brake device is prevented from being inadvertentlyoperated. The operating arm used for releasing the brake can beseparated from the brake release device and can be accommodated in themaintenance operation panel. Thus, there is no need for an unnecessarilylarge increase in the size of the maintenance operation panel for theoperating arm. The structure and configuration of the brake releasedevice 17 or the brake unit 26, and the transmission mechanismconstituted of the wire 44 and the tube 45 are not limited to those inthis embodiment, and any other devices or members may suffice if theyenable release of the brake by remote operation.

Embodiment 3

This embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 in the way of attaching thegenerator. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the generator 28 attached to aspeed governor. Reference numeral 62 denotes the speed governor providedat one end of the hoistway 5 to detect an excessive speed of the car 20,63 denotes a stretch sheave provided at the other end of the hoistway,and 64 denotes a governor rope having its two ends connected to the carand stretched between the speed governor and the stretch sheave in thehoistway 5. When the car 20 moves upward or downward, the speed governor62 is rotated by the governor rope 64, and the generator 28 attached tothe speed governor generates a voltage according to the rotational speedof the governor. This voltage is transmitted to the maintenanceoperation panel 10 via the speed signal line 32 to be indicated by themeter 14 d incorporated in the maintenance operation panel.

The speed of the car at the time of release of the brake can be knownthrough the maintenance operation panel even when the supply of power tothe elevator is stopped. The generator 28 may be attached to the stretchsheave 63 instead of being attached to the speed governor 62. The sameeffect can also be obtained in such a case.

Embodiment 4

This embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 in that the motor of thehoisting machine is utilized as a generator. FIG. 12 is a circuitdiagram showing use of the hoisting machine motor as a generator.Reference numeral 65 denotes a power supply for the elevator, 66 denotesa drive control unit, which is supplied With power from the power supply65 and controllably drives the motor 24, and 67 denotes a contact devicehaving normally open contacts and provided in the main circuit betweenthe drive control unit 66 and the motor 24. The contact device 67 isprovided with the speed signal line 32 which branches off from the motor24 side of the contact device 67, and extends to the meter 14 d vianormally closed contacts of the contact device 67.

The contact device 67 is normally energized magnetically to connect themotor 24 to the drive control circuit 66. In this state, the motor 24 isdriven to move the elevator upward or downward. However, when anabnormality occurs, or when the power supply is cut to performmaintenance operations, the contact device 67 is de-energized to connectthe motor 24 to the meter 14 d of the maintenance operation panel 10 bythe speed signal line 32. If the motor 24 is, for example, of a typeusing a permanent magnet as a field magnet, a voltage is generatedacross the armature of the motor according to the rotation of the motor.Then the speed at which the car moves by its weight after release of thebrake can be indicated by the voltage generated by the motor, therebyenabling the operator to know the speed at which the car moves upward ordownward with the maintenance operation panel.

Embodiment 5

This embodiment will be described with respect to an example of the carposition confirmation device for recognizing the position of the car inthe hoistway through the maintenance operation panel. FIG. 13 is across-sectional view of the hoistway, and FIG. 14 is a diagram showing astate where a inspection hole 19 of the maintenance operation panel 10is opened and the inside of the hoistway is seen through a window 19 aof the inspection hole 19. In these figures, the same components orportions as those in the above-described embodiments are indicated bythe same reference numerals.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, reference numeral 68 denotes railsprovided in the hoistway 5 to guide the car 20 moving upward ordownward. Reference numeral 69 denotes jambs provided on the oppositesides of the door 3 of the hall. The window 19 a is formed in themaintenance operation panel 10. When the inspection hole 19 is opened,the inside of the hoistway can be seen through the window 19 a. Aportion A shown in the figure is a reference mark which is put on a sidesurface of the rail 68, and which can be recognized with the eye throughthe inspection hole window 19 a. A portion C is a check mark put on aportion of the maintenance operation panel by the side of the window 19a in correspondence with the reference mark A. A portion B is a carposition mark put on the governor rope 64 for the speed governor 62.

The car position mark B is put on the governor rope 64 at a position ona line connecting the reference mark A and the check mark C, forexample, when the car 20 is at the position corresponding to the hall 1or 6, at which passengers can get on or off the car 20. When the car 20is stopped by a malfunction or the like at a position at whichpassengers cannot get on or off the car 20, the operator opens themaintenance operation panel 10 and opens the inspection hole 19 to beable to observe the inside of the hoistway. In this state, the operatoroperates, for example, the brake release device 17 while monitoring thespeed of the car 20 through the meter 14 d, and stops the brakereleasing operation when the car position mark B on the governor rope 64reaches the point between the reference mark A and the check mark C,thereby stopping the car to enable passengers in the car to escape formthe car and enter the hall.

The car position mark B is not limited to the positions corresponding tothe floors 1 and 6 at which passengers can get on or off the car. Thecar position mark B may designate a certain position at which the carshould be stopped. The color and/or width of the mark may be changed,that is, variations of the mark may be formed based on a kind of code soas to be discriminable from each other. Even if one of the referencemark A and the check mark C is removed, the above-described function canbe attained. Also, the position at which the reference mark A or thecheck mark C is put is not limited to that described above. Also, thecar position mark B is not necessarily formed on the governor rope 64.It may be put on any portion movable with the movement of the car. Forexample, it may be put on the main rope 21 shown in FIG. 3.

As described above, in the maintenance operation panel 10 of the presentinvention, which has the window 19 a of the inspection hole 19, the markB is put on a member which can be recognized with the eye through thewindow, and which moves with the movement of the car. It is possible toknow the position of the car by checking this mark. Therefore, there isno need to enter the hoistway or to move the car while opening the halldoor. Also, the elements necessary for the operations are concentratedon the maintenance operation panel, so that only one maintenance personcan perform the operations.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The maintenance operation panel has a driving operation panel formed bycombining switches, and the like, which are to be operated formaintenance operations, and which are separately provided ascounterparts of those in the control panel, a brake release devicecapable of releasing the brake of the hoisting machine by remoteoperation without the intervention of the control panel, a meter forindicating a voltage converted from the upward or downward movement ofthe elevator car by a speed generator, and/or car position confirmationmeans including an open window in a portion of the maintenance operationpanel through which the inside of the hoistway can be observed with theeye, and through which ropes and other members moving with the movementof the car can be seen, the confirmation means including a mark on someof the ropes and other members from which the position of the car can beascertained. The maintenance operation panel is provided on a hall forthe elevator. Therefore, in the elevator having no machine room andhaving the control panel or the hoisting machine provided in thehoistway, when a need arises to operate the car for a maintenanceoperation, an operator can operate the driving operation panel in thehall to perform maintenance operation of the car without entering thehoistway. Even when the car is stopped in the hoistway for some reason,the brake of the hoisting machine can be released by operating the brakerelease device in the maintenance operation panel. In this event, thespeed at which the car runs may be converted into a voltage by thegenerator attached to the hoisting machine or a governor to be indicatedby the meter provided in the maintenance operation panel, therebyenabling the operator to know the car speed and to suitably control theoperation of releasing the brake. Also, a window, through which ropesand other members moving in the hoistway with the movement of the carcan be seen, may be formed in the maintenance operation panel. Forexample, a mark may be put on a portion of some of the ropes and othermembers which can be seen through the window when the car is landed at apredetermined floor. Thus, it is possible to ascertain that the car isat the position of being landed at the predetermined floor when the markis seen through the window at the predetermined position. If theoperation of releasing the brake is stopped when the car reaches thepredetermined position, the car can be stopped at the predeterminedposition. A hall button unit may be mounted in the face panel that facesthe hall of the maintenance operation panel. Thus, ordinarily, only theface plate with the hall button unit can be seen from the hall, andtherefore a hall design can be impaired.

The operating arm of the brake release device may be made detachable tolimit the size of the maintenance operation panel. Also, a space foraccommodation of the operating arm may be provided in the maintenanceoperation panel to enable the operating arm to be quickly taken out tobe used for the operation of releasing the brake. The brake releasedevice is arranged so that the brake release operation cannot beperformed without unlocking a lock mechanism, thereby preventing thebrake from being inadvertently released when the operating arm isattached.

If the speed generator attached to the hoisting machine or speedgovernor is a DC generator using a permanent magnet, the polarity of thevoltage generated is changed according to the direction of rotation.Then, if the meter that indicates the polarity is capable of swinging inopposite directions, it is possible to know the direction of movement ofthe car. The generator may be connected through a suitable reductionmechanism to generate a voltage for setting a suitable swinging angle ofthe meter. In particular, if the motor of the hoisting machine is of atype having a permanent magnet as motor may be extracted and supplied tothe meter to indicate the car speed.

As described above, the driving operation panel in the maintenanceoperation panel is operated to electrically remote control the controlpanel, and the like, and the brake release device in the maintenanceoperation panel is operated to directly release the brake of thehoisting machine when electrical operations are disabled by stoppage ofpower supply. The maintenance operator can know the speed of the carstarted by release of the brake by means of the generator independentlyprovided and the meter in the maintenance operation panel. Further, whenthe car moves to a predetermined position, the operator can ascertainthe present position of the car by recognizing a mark on a rope or thelike connected to the car through the window provided in the maintenanceoperation panel, and can stop the operation of releasing the brake atthe predetermined position. Therefore, even when passengers are trappedin the car, it is possible to easily rescue the passengers.

What is claimed is:
 1. A maintenance driving apparatus for an elevator,comprising a maintenance operation panel located separately from acontrol panel of the elevator, and having a driving operation panel forcommanding maintenance driving with respect to upward and downwardmovements of a car, and at least one of a brake release device connectedto a brake of a hoisting machine for releasing the brake, a meterconnected to a generator for converting the movement of the car into avoltage, the meter indicating the voltage generated by the generator,and car position confirmation means enabling indirect visualascertainment of position of the car moving upward or downward in ahoistway, said maintenance operation panel being provided proximate anelevator hall serviced by the elevator.
 2. The maintenance drivingapparatus for an elevator as defined in claim 1, wherein saidmaintenance operation panel has a face plate facing the elevator halland including hall call buttons.
 3. The maintenance driving apparatusfor an elevator as defined in claim 1, including said brake releasedevice wherein said brake release device has a detachable operating arm.4. The maintenance driving apparatus for an elevator as defined in claim3, including an operating arm accommodation mechanism in saidmaintenance operation panel.
 5. The maintenance driving apparatus for anelevator as defined in claim 3, wherein said brake release device has alock mechanism which, when locked, stops releasing of the brake of thehoisting machine, and, when unlocked, releases the brake, by operationof the operating arm.
 6. The maintenance driving apparatus for anelevator as defined in claim 1, including said meter, said meterswinging in opposite directions corresponding to polarities of thevoltage, and upward and downward movement of the car.
 7. The maintenancedriving apparatus for an elevator as defined in claim 1, including saidmeter and said generator for detecting movement of the car, a fieldmagnet of said generator being a permanent magnet.
 8. The maintenancedriving apparatus for an elevator as defined in claim 1, including saidmeter and said generator, wherein said generator is connected to thehoisting machine through a reduction mechanism having a reduction ratioset such that said generator generates a voltage converted into speed ofthe car indicated by said meter.
 9. The maintenance driving apparatusfor an elevator as defined in claim 1, including said generator fordetecting movement of the car, said generator being attached to a speedgovernor.
 10. The maintenance driving apparatus for an elevator asdefined in claim 1, including said meter and further comprising a motorfor driving the hoisting machine, a drive control unit for controllablydriving said motor according to an elevator run command, and a firstcontact device in a main circuit between said motor and said drivecontrol unit, said meter being connected to a line which branches from apoint between said first contact device and said motor and extends to asecond contact device, and, when said first contact device is open andwhen said second contact device is connected to the line, a voltagegenerated by said motor is indicated by said meter.
 11. The maintenancedriving apparatus for an elevator as defined in claim 1, including saidcar position confirmation means, said car position confirmation meansincludes a window in said maintenance operation panel opening to thehoistway, so that a portion of the elevator moving upward or downward inthe hoistway may be visually recognized through said window.
 12. Themaintenance driving apparatus for an elevator as defined in claim 11,wherein said car position confirmation means includes a car positionmark on one of a main rope and a speed governor rope moving togetherwith the car, and, when said car position mark is at a position as seenthrough said window of said maintenance operation panel, the car is at aposition corresponding to said car position mark.
 13. The maintenancedriving apparatus for an elevator as defined in claim 1, wherein saiddriving operation panel is connected to a first signal transmission linefrom the control panel by a connector and is detachably placed in saidmaintenance operation panel, and a connection box located in one of thehoistway and the car is connected to one end of a second signaltransmission line branching from the first signal transmission line,said driving operation panel being detached from said maintenanceoperation panel by disconnecting the connector connected to theconnection box for car maintenance.